Come fly with us.
At Sapphire, we strive for our students to have a good understanding of body mechanics and aerial/fabric theory. At the beginner and intermediate levels, this helps make pathways between skills but also helps us understand how to get out of things safely. At the advanced levels, this helps us create new transitions and pathways that might be unique from student to student. Ask Erin about Belay – she would love to talk for hours about the fabric theory behind it.
The Coaches
Our amazing coaches are ready to teach you how to fly.
Erin
(She/They)
Owner | Silks Instructor
As a multi-disciplined aerialist, Erin enjoys trapeze (teardrop), hoop, loop, cloud swing and basically anything she can get her hands on, but Erin’s true love will always be the silks. Ask her about fabric theory – make sure you have time, they will talk. Firefly Theatre and Circus welcomed her to classes in 2008 and they never left. Erin began teaching in 2018 and took Paper Doll Militia’s teacher training in 2019. When Firefly Circus Academy decided to stop providing recreational circus classes in 2022 Erin took things a step further and created what you see here – Sapphire Circus Arts. A place to continue the community Firefly built and teach amazing circus classes to people who love it as much as they do. Erin is also a producer of the Alberta Circus Arts Festival.
Samara
(She/Her)
Trapeze/Hoop/Silks/Loop Instructor
Samara started training with Firefly in 2008 and with a few breaks off and on for different adventures traveling around the world she has happily found herself back teaching Silks and Hoop/Trapeze. Samara is an actor/ stunt performer, and a musician. She loves the way circus combines her love of being physical with the opportunity for such creative expression.
Sheri
(She/Her)
Silks/Loop Instructor
Sheri started circus at Firefly Theatre and Circus and fell in love with the physicality and artistry. She has performed in Firefly Theatre and Circus productions such as KOLABO and PANACHE, both times on her multicorde. She has also performed at Western Canada Fashion Week, the Courage Gala and the Kaleido Arts Festival. Her first love is the silks but she also enjoys some loop on the side. She loves exploring sequences and especially enjoys finding multiple ways to get into (or out of) a given move. She enjoys teaching and loves seeing students gain strength and confidence in the air. She has completed Teacher Training at NECCA (New England Center for Circus Arts).
Stephanie
(She/Her)
Silks Instructor
Stephanie has a true passion for Aerial and Circus Arts. She has performed in many productions put on by Firefly Theater & Circus such as KOLABO and PANACHE and has been involved in many events including the Canada 150 celebration at Roger’s Place, performing along with Canadian artist Sarah McLachlan. Stephanie has attended and trained at numerous circus festivals in the US and Europe including the Santa Barbara Floor to Air Festival as well as “Les Rencontres de Danse Aérienne”. Stephanie coaches multiple aerial disciplines and even has training on a very unique Apparatus – the Aerial Kite. She has completed Teacher Training with Paper Doll Militia. Stephanie is also a producer of the Alberta Circus Arts Festival.
Angelynn
(She/They)
Trapeze/Hoop Instructor
Back in 2014, Angelynn found a littered flyer for an aerial contortion class on the streets of Portland, OR. From there, they fell down the rabbit hole and found their love for the trapeze. After moving to Baltimore, MD, they embraced the DMV circus community and found their fire and strength for teaching, particularly with emphasis on accessibility and community. Outside of aerial circus, they can be found engrossed in their next travel adventure, a computer game, or some piles of graphic novels.
Cari
(She/Her)
Silks Instructor
Cari started doing aerial arts in 2018 and immediately fell in love with the physical and analytical aspects of it. Now, she enjoys exploring interesting and unexpected transitions, and assistant coaching with Sapphire Circus Arts. Most of her practice is focused on silks, loop and trapeze; however, she enjoys experimenting with other apparatuses.e.
Alexa
(She/Her)
Silks Instructor
Alexa’s first exposure to aerial acrobatics was a Firefly Theatre show she saw in 2007. She’s been training ever since (with a few breaks here and there) and has also taken classes in San Francisco and Vermont. She enjoys every apparatus, but the trapeze has a special place in her heart. Alexa has a Bachelor of Kinesiology and is excited to apply that background to teaching aerial acrobatics.
Jordan
(She/Her)
Kids Instructor
Jordan started circus at Firefly as a young student in 2015, she found her love of all things cirque and has never looked back. Jordan loves to train in contortion and silks and anything where she feels like she is flying in the air. She has performed in Firefly’s annual LTBH, as well as Cirque in the Park. When Jordan is not training or coaching she is busy with university classes, playing, coaching and officiating Ringette. Jordan looks forward to sharing her passion and love of all things cirque with all of her students.
Scott
(He/Him)
Straps Instructor
Scott is a dedicated amateur aerialist who loves to share all he’s learned with everyone he can. He’s a certified coach with years of experience teaching many disciplines including aerials, dance and even skydiving. His focus is on encouraging good form, technique and progressions so his students can enjoy long, healthy journeys that will open the door to all the creativity that aerials has to offer.